The Detroit Lions have a Taylor Decker-sized hole on their offensive line.
The veteran left tackle and longest-tenured player on the Lions requested and was granted his release from the team earlier last week after contract negotiations reportedly broke down, leaving Detroit with a vacancy at the left tackle spot he had manned for the past 10 seasons.
During the brief window where it looked like Decker was returning to Detroit for one more year, it was easier to say the Lions had a bit more time to target his long-term replacement, even if they still needed to get on it pretty soon even at that point. But now that he’s gone, it leaves Detroit with no choice but to target a tackle.
Lions' draft plans are solidified after Larry Borom signing
On the first day of free agency, the Lions seemed to at least in part address that need with the signing of former Miami Dolphins tackle Larry Borom, in a deal where the terms remain undisclosed at press time.
The signing doesn’t scream “long-term solution” at one of Detroit’s two tackle spots, even if the Lions slide stalwart Penei Sewell over to the left. It’s far more likely that Detroit views him as a swing tackle and high-end depth signing. Think of the Dan Skipper role.
Borom is a Detroit native and played in 16 games for the Miami Dolphins last year, starting 11 at right tackle. He spent his first four seasons with the Chicago Bears and played all along the line, making 27 combined starts at every offensive line position except center.
In 2025, Borom landed at his natural spot at right tackle, which he played in college at Missouri. That season, he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 64th rated tackle out of 89 players with a 60.7 overall grade. His pass blocking grade of 67.1 was 50th among tackles and his 54.4 run blocking grade was 76th.
PFF grades are, of course, far from the end-all-be-all and shouldn’t be taken as gospel. But they do give some vague, general idea as to how an offensive lineman performed.
READ MORE: Lions Free-Agency Tracker 2026: Signings, departures, cap space analysis, and more
Borom allowed 15 pressures and two sacks last season, and the Dolphins often slid protections to his side to make up for some of his struggles.
So, it’s safe to assume, or at least opine, that Detroit should still be working to add another long-term answer at tackle. The fact that the top free agent tackle on the market (as well as the only real high-end starter), Jermaine Eluemunor, re-upped with the New York Giants should only serve to reinforce this notion.
And this is not a bad draft to need a tackle. Though Utah’s Spencer Fano and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa will likely be off the board before Detroit’s pick, there are still plenty of options that could be in play for the Lions at No. 17. Georgia’s Monroe Freeling, Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor, Utah’s Caleb Lomu and Miami’s Kadyn Proctor could all be on the board for the Lions.
Bad offensive line play largely derailed the Lions’ season last year and the team has already moved to sign Cade Mays to take over at center, arguably their single biggest position of need. But a replacement for Decker is now just as pressing, and though the Borum signing is a start, there’s more work to be done for Detroit to have a serious unit blocking up front next season.
The Lions cannot afford to enter 2026 with a subpar offensive line if their goal is to get back into the playoffs and contend for a Super Bowl. They’ve already lost enough heart-and-soul veterans in this free agency cycle as it is, and time is running out on this current core to make a run. General manager Brad Holmes has his work cut out for him.